Chapter 395

"What did you say?"

"I said, whether you live or die, I never want to see you again!" Stella Valentine's voice was hoarse, her teeth clenched. "Get out! Now!"

Adrian Roland's eyes darkened with unfathomable pain. "You and Vincent... I could tell it wasn't real."

"But it wasn't you either." Stella lifted her chin, her gaze icy. "Adrian, you nearly killed me, then deceived me by pretending to be Mr. Alistair. I will never forgive you."

"But—"

"No buts." She cut him off. "If you want to die, go ahead. Find Vincent or end it yourself—I don’t care. I just pray that in my next life, I stay far away from you. Even if I become a rock or a weed, I never want to meet you again!"

Flames devoured most of his hospital gown, licking hungrily at his back.

Stella turned her face away. "I’m begging you—stay away from me."

"..."

Adrian remained silent, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes.

He suddenly let out a low, bitter laugh. "Fine, I’ll go. But, little star, answer me one last question."

"Speak."

"Did you mean it when you said you loved Vincent?"

"..."

"I’m about to die. Give me an answer."

In the distance, sirens wailed, growing louder—police cars and fire trucks.

Firefighters?

Stella froze. If they could control the flames before the explosion...

"Anyone here?"

"Is there anyone inside?"

Rescue teams!

"Here! We're here!" she screamed.

"Stay down! Wait for help!"

Thick smoke began to fill the air as the temperature dropped. Jets of water sprayed from all directions.

A rescuer untied her restraints. "Can you walk?"

"I'm fine!" She pointed at Adrian. "He needs emergency care!"

"Don’t worry, the ambulance is right outside."

As Adrian was carried away on a stretcher, she stumbled after them.

"Be careful," she warned. "There are explosives in the woods."

"Explosives?"

"I smelled gunpowder."

"Understood. Let’s get you out first."

When they emerged from the trees, she saw Vincent Atlante restrained by police.

He tilted his head and grinned at her. "Impressive, Miss Valentine. When did you call the cops?"

Stella's voice was cold. "It's over."

"Over?" Vincent's smile twisted into something unsettling. "This is just the beginning."

Her chest tightened. "What do you mean?"

He patted his chest. "Take a guess?"

His jacket bulged unnaturally.

Unless...

A chill ran down Stella's spine. "What are you planning?"

"My brother asked why we shouldn’t go out with a bang." Vincent's eyes gleamed with madness. "So I thought—why not?"